“Many marriage problems could move toward resolutions if husband and wife actually lived as if they were ‘sinners’ who said ‘I do.’ Sinners who are humble are growing more knowledgeable about their hearts.”
I skimmed a couple of the chapters; after reading the rest, I paused at many of them attempting to catch the author's message. I definitely say here's a solid piece to recommend to pastors, elders, counselors—most assuredly, to those preparing for marriage, for those married. The focus, patterned after the title, “When SINNERS,” aims at helping readers carry out necessary self-examination regarding one's own unquestioned contribution to messy relationships.The vivid word pictures by Harvey color his illustrations.... “...couples can treat confrontation like a hand grenade--pop the pin, let it fly, and run for cover. But biblical reproof is not some kind of commando raid.” Here's another... [on the matter of an exchange when the husband interferes with his wife's plans already made; words like]: “Dear, could you... become his fingernails on the chalkboard of your [her] agenda for the day?” These are fun.
My biggest negative about the book circles around Harvey's bringing the reader’s knowledge of his sin to a boil. The pan is on the stove, the water is boiling—so very good; but I was waiting for the pasta to be added, and then the browning of the meat, the simmer of the butter and veggies, with the seasoning mix of the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is Lord and Savior. I wanted him to prepare a winsome, biblical dish with the doctrine of the sinner's union and communion with Jesus. We get the chapter on STUBBORN GRACE, Harvey's work on Titus 2:11-14; but where’s Being Raised in Him, Being a Sinner Seated w/ Christ and more. My concern is like what another author said about the absence of good, popularly written books on the doctrine of Christ's life, death and resurrection, something like..., “the professing church suffers from Ascension Deficit Disorder.” Harvey's positions, thesis and practical helps would look like a Major League MVP homerun champ if he knocked the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, His fruit for the believer, out of the park. When Sinners Say I Do calls for counter-balance of When the Savior Said I Did.
—G. Mark Sumpter
1 comment:
WOW Mark, that's a fantastic review of this book, and also a great challenge to us who preach, teach, and counsel. "Ascension Deficit" disorder! I do think this critique you wrote applies to a lot of the "Puritan" influenced works that deal with sin.
Thanks for writing this up and sharing it!
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